Oliver was one of 10 bears rescued from a bear bile farm in Shandong province, China. 33 years old, he had spent 30 of those in this cage, with a heavy metal jacket and daily painful bile extractions…

Oliver the brown bear have a stunted body, arthritis and mobility problems. His stiff old limbs can never extend normally like a healthy bear. He has compressed lungs from wearing a full metal jacket so tightly around his chest for decades on the farm, and an enlarged heart as a result of it working harder throughout these years. His teeth are broken , and an eye with lens luxation which made him blind and causing him pain, so it had to be removed by surgery.

When Animal Asia rescued him they were very concerned about the state of him. His long, misshapen body was flat to the bottom of his cage and his barely open eyes showed nothing but pain and despair. This old, old bear had simply given up. After 30 years trapped in a tiny cage, as his bile and his life were systematically drained from his body, his rescue was also dramatic for him. Mid-way through a four-day journey back to the sanctuary in Chengdu, he underwent life-saving surgery to remove his gall bladder on the back of a truck, parked in a hospital car-park, amid freezing temperatures and driving rain.

When Oliver’s gall bladder was revealed to the vets they were shocked by its condition. Thickened walls, inflamed tissue and a fully intact, double metal ring completely enveloped in the tissue that had grown around it over the years. Jill Robinson, (MBE, Dr med vet hc, founder and CEO of Animals Asia ) who has witnessed hundreds of bears undergo the same surgery and seen all types of horrific objects used to secure the illegal catheters, was shocked by this latest find: “This is an instrument of torture showing just why this poor bear had been in so much pain”. She snipped away at the tissue to eventually reveal the large, spiral metal disc with a wire hook, previously seen protruding from Oliver’s stomach, attached. The rescue team believes that before they reached the farm, the owners had ripped out the catheters on the bears, causing terrible pain.

Metal Jackets:

These jackets are designed to restrain the bears, with sharp metal spikes poking into their necks to stop them bending their heads, and straps and strips of metal restricting their limb movements. They also have a permanent catheter running from the bear’s abdomen to a pouch under the jacket to make bile removal easy for the farmer. To attach a permanent catheter to the bear’s gall bladder, metal pins, hooks, disks and all makeshift devices are crudely inserted right into the gall bladder to hold the catheter in place. This is almost always done by unqualified people in conditions ripe for infection. This crude and dangerous practice resulted in emergency surgery for Oliver, one of the brown bears rescued on 19 April, in the back of the rescue truck as the catheter had simply been ripped from his stomach, setting off a near-lethal infection. His gall bladder was removed, revealing a double metal ring with hook attached completely embedded in the organ’s tissue.

Bile:

Bile is a digestive juice produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder and has historically been used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Bear bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which is believed to reduce fever, protect the liver, improve eyesight, break down gallstones, and act as an anti-inflammatory. In recent years, there has been a dramatic growth in the production of bear bile products, which has spawned a market for a whole new range of items far removed from the formulations of traditional Chinese medicine. Today, bile is used as an ingredient in shampoo, wine, eye drops and all manner of pre-prepared ointments. In 1999, bottles of bear bile wine were even handed out as gifts for passengers on internal flights. Bear bile can cost up to 4,000 yuan (USD 295) per kg in China, so no wonder the life of a bear means nothing.

Bile alternatives

The active ingredient in bear bile, UDCA, was first synthesised in 1954 in Japan from dead chickens and is proven to be effective in treating liver disease. A report by the Chinese Association of Medicine and Philosophy and Earth Care has established that there are at least 54 herbal alternatives to bear bile, including Chinese ivy stem, dandelion, chrysanthemum, common sage and rhubarb. The alternatives are both cheap and effective.Synthesised UDCA is a safe medicine with no side effects. It has been successfully used worldwide to treat gallstones, primary cirrhosis, auto-immune hepatitis and colon cancer. Clinical studies are currently being conducted on the use of UDCA in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and cancer.

And a research made by ‘The Journal Of Chinese medicine‘ show that there are several much cheaper ways to make synthetic bear bile. Another study (here) also shows that synthetic UDCA also have benefits can prevent abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia, both following a heart attack and also in foetuses.

Oliver’s life today

Today this old beautiful bear lives peacefully and free at Animal Asia’s rescue centre in Chengdu, China. He can now spend his last days free from pain, smell fresh air, feel the grass under his feet and spend hours in the pool…

To keep updated about Oliver and all the other bears rescued please visit Animal Asia or read Jill ‘s blog. Please share and tell the world about these bile bears and the so-called life they have. They need and deserve to live a normal life as any bear does. Thank you…

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151 thoughts on “Oliver The broken Bear, Free After 30 Years In A Bear Bile Farm In China”

I am sorry to say but I’m a big baby when I see these horrifically sad stories. I can not imangine in this day and age, anyone still believes those old wives tales about taking different part of animals that ‘supposedly ‘ could not just clear up your acne to giving you a hard dick. I’m sorry my language is some what crude but curse words make it sound more seriously. There has to be much harsher laws to take these sorry son of a bitches off the streets and spend the rest of their lives shackled for the rest of their ass lives in a cage in a 4x4x4 cage. If they think animals lives aren’t worth jackshit, I have never met an animal I didn’t trust but I sure can’t say the same about humans. Or maybe barbarians a much closer name to who they really are.

Mary I cry everytime I think of Oliver and the cruelty inflicted to him and any ther animal who get caught in insane beliefs and get tortured by idiots. And can never be bad enough words for what I want to call them.

Watching this with smiling and tears. I saw so many comments from all over the world, against bear bile farming, but actually how many Chinese know about these terrible things that happen to the Bears? I am Chinese , I didn’t know this when I was in China, I knew this after I moved to Australia from watching TV, shocking. To be honest, when I was in China I knew bear bile is troditional medicine , but I didn’t believe there is real bear bile in the medicine because I thought bear bile is to hard to get (from wild bear). Now I know there are bear bile farms ! with thousands bears suffering every day , some spent 30 years in the cage providing bile to human! I believe no one will see these kind of videos or documentary from TV , Should let more Chinese know what is happening, should let them think about this, get involved , not just you American or people from other countries.

Thank you for reading and commenting Elaine 🙂 It’s a subject I knew nothing about growing up in Sweden either, not until a few years back I learned what was going on and the more I have read about it the more sick I feel. It is interesting and sad that there are no mentions of this horrible business in China because I believe that if more people knows this horrible thing would stop. What is the best way to reach out to China? To make people aware?

I am sitting here in tears and sorrow about this poor little bear. He is a strong little bear to go through what he has, i am just beyond devastated that someone could do this to an animal. I feel a special bond with him even though i have never met him. I have just lost a baby named OLIVER in sept /2014. I am glad you enjoyed your last years in peace and thank you to the amazing people who saved you and cared for you!! RIP OLIVER

He had a hard life that poor beautiful bear and the only consolation is that he got at least a few good years. He was a bear that touched your heart, I loved him from the first second I saw him myself 🙂 Oh I am so sorry for your loss and what a beautiful name you gave your wee baby Chrissie!

Why exactly does the US engage in trade with this despicable country? First they’re Communist. That says it all. They answer to no one. Second, they have no conscience, mostly because they’re Communist, for how they treat animals or its citizens.
The only thing you can do is stop buying crap that is made there and sold here. It’s the least we can do.
Problem is, are we willing to pay a little more for merchandise that isn’t made there — as in, stop shopping at Walmart. Think about this bear next time you think that T shirt at Walmart is such a bargain for 2.99.

I am not a racist person but China needs to stop living in mid evil times. Their traditional ways are torturous and barbaric. Understanding all countries have animal and child abuse, China seems to overstep the mark with their mid evil methods! It’s time to make a change. Listen to what the world are saying. It’s time the world created a U.N. for animal and child welfare!

I don’t think it’s racist to say so at all. China has a horrible record with human and animal rights… And although that exist in every country, China are exceptionally bad in this and just as you say Dena, they need to stop living in mid evil times! I lost hope with U.N, they seem to care about ”popular” countries only, those who get lots of media attention… But you are right, wish they would start that!

This is one of the most heartbreaking and sickening things I’ve read in a while. I had no idea this was going on in China, those poor bears, and poor Oliver. Thank goodness he’s been rescued but it’s so awful to think of the evil way he had to live for 30 years. Thank you so much for bringing this to people’s attention. I wish there was more that could be done, but awareness is the first step.

Hi and welcome madame Weebles 🙂 You are so right, we need to make people aware of what’s happening to those poor bears and thousands of other animals in China. You can sign a petition regarding the bile bears and the torture of cats and dogs at Animal Asias website http://www.animalsasia.org/?UID=N0BRR1F5I6F as one example. To get just one more person aware is a step forward.. So thank you again for visiting 🙂

Reblogged this on benzeknees and commented:
Much like the rhinos in Africa, we need to help these poor bears! Especially since there are synthetic options available! This is cruelty of the highest nature.

This bear has endured tortures that we will never imagine. He is finally safe, but I’m numb with anger and sadness for the bears (and other animals) still suffering the torments of hell on earth at the hands of these monsters.

…”The alternatives are both cheap and effective. Synthesised UDCA (using cow or pig bile – and even no animal parts) is a safe medicine with no side effects…”
Instead of gaining some faith in humanity this fragment just ruined this whole article for me. Can someone please explain to me how cow, pig or chicken bile is ok and bear bile is not? Why can’t people get this into their heads that there is no difference between a dog, human, fish, pig, chicken and a bear– they all feel pain, want to live and are not property. Leave ALL animals alone!! You can have a happy, healthy life without abusing anyone and I’m a living proof of that.

This made me cry , I just cannot understand how anyone can inflict any pain on any animal ; makes me sick !!! Thank goodness he can now have some sort of normal life , thank you to the ppl who rescued Oliver .

I cannot even expect this poor creature to forgive the perverted human race, if not for himself, then for millions of other beings that are tortured to death as we speak, all over this beautiful planet, and were never rescued or heard of. I often wonder, if there is a God, how come he doesn’t hear the cries of those who do not communicate in human language???
Another shame directed by no other than – ”HUMANS”.

How do these people sleep at night? It pains me to think of how many more animals are tortured we’ll never know about?
Is there a reliable site that tells what products come from such deplorable acts? Maybe that is the best way to shut them down?

one rescued and thousands left to the same fate all because of superstition when in reality it’s a placebo effect. China is greatly responsible for cruelty to or near extinction of animals because of their ancient beliefs – some of which no doubt may work in Chinese medicine. Be it the bears, tigers, sharks, tortoises, elephants,… – you name it, they’ll eradicate or torture them to extinction. It’s urgent China modernizes and educates in this respect.

I expect ALL who commented on the evils of animal torture to say “ENOUGH” and do something about it!! You can adopt an animal(if in apt. support a shelter)/wear NO fur,leather/give to local SPCA/keep eyes open&report abuse/if U eat meat now; stop “SLOWLY”…it took me a year,but now I’m 45lbs lighter and off BP pills.& do NOT miss it one bit!!

This just brings tears to my eyes.. Poor bear.. What have they done to you? Took your life, your freedom and replaced it with pain and torture and for what?? For some supid drink! I just hate the China and all the sick shit that she brings to this world…

(tail droops) this, and all animal mistreatment, makes me sad beyond belief. As a dog that was initially trained to fight, then bred and puppies taken, then kicked out into the street, I know about animal cruelty! One day perhaps Man will not look at themselves as the Most Dominant Species and respect life.

Keep up the good work rescuing – recovering after 30 years is strengt as Munch as hard working good peoples inncredible work- Nice to see Olivier enjoy life as good as a bear can, after all Those years- made me cry a tear mixded from sadness of how cruel human can be, and happiness to see the bear out from the cache!!!!))

Hi Dylan, I dont think so. He is a very old bear, have a heart problem and just one eye now. And his body is so destroyed from all those years in the cage with the metal jacket on. But I will try and find out today how he is doing 🙂

The story of this bear if very sad, but that doesn’t mean you should release all animals into the wild, chickens are the way that they are because of breeding programs created by humans over thousands of years, a chicken for instance has no place in the wild, chickens will probably die out if you set them free.

What I mean is they are for all intensive purposes bred for human consumption, they serve no other function really.. except maybe if you let them go into the wild and become something else’s food. They don’t really make good pets either, they’re kind of like an ugly fish, don’t really do anything.

Hi Damboo, A chicken would be food for other animals if they were let free, and humans could eat the eggs of these free hens (if we could find them). And there are wild chickens already, mostly in India but even in south america and america. But bears like Oliver will never be completely free although they have a great home to spend their last years thankfully.

This is nothing new with the treatment of animals in China. The now protected Panda was in a similar state years ago until a reported took videos and put them on TV for the world to see. They collected Panda urine under horrible conditions and now the Panda can not be touched by anyone and so special to China. Now I wonder what they will do about the bears that this has been brought to the public to see.

And now the Panda is treated as a bribe. They lend them out to different countries as diplomatic gifts for 10 years.. And dont know if much will change for the bears honestly, some will have the luck to be rescued but I think a lot of farms will ”disappear”, and the bears with them to locations where it will be nearly impossible to find them…

I could write a lot about this poor bear and so many other animals used in the name of science or just used to make money..but I believe this say it all…”What the hell has happen to man kind that we are so cruel and inhuman to animals nowdays, makes me so sad.”

It’s not racist to condemn the most cruel country in the the world China! These people come from a planet called cruel, I just hope that one day if they don’t eat the world before that a huge earthquake wipes them all out forever…….

No it’s not. As you should see from that article written by Daniel Jeffreys, he use Animal Asia as a source, have quotes from Jill Robinson that is the founder of Animal Asia. Both my post and his article deal with the same subject and that is a big difference from copying. And if you would do a fast search of the subject (Google: Bear bile, Oliver) and you get about 627.000 results. So this is a subject that have been written about may times which is absolutely great!

I cannot fathom that some so called human beings are violently brutalizing these helpless, vulnerable poor animals simply to find the money & gain profit. According to the true scientists those Bear biles are one of the worst “medicines” that any human can consume. Scientifically proven that these biles have made people sick and die. Yet the profitiers are there to fool the general public that these harmful animal organ juices are OK. How pathetic is that these uneducated people think such nasty bear body fluids are doing good to humans??? In doing so imagine the unnecessary pains & sufferings these innocent animals are going through. All these crappy useless ways people try to make money is so vicious and brutal. I wonder why the Governing bodies does not stand up and protect these Bears whom are belong to Planet earth. Not to these wicked ruthless subhumans. This is a new era and a new world we live in. STOP using these voiceless animals and BAN altogether this pathetic Bile farms and show the world that you care about the Nature and it’s inhabitants. Those particular people in those countries which still carries on such inhumane practices had to be Barbarians.

You are so right Manel! Thankfully I think that people slowly (too slowly though) are waking up and start to act. And you are right, bear bile is no magic treatment, it can be really harmful to humans and the artificial and herb ”bile” is perfectly safe and better for animals and humans. The governments should do a major crackdown on these ”farmers” with a immediate ban and hard punishment for those who do this. They need to start respect animals and humans before it’s too late. I don’t want to live in a world where we kill everything off for profit with no regards for lives.

Poor baby ❤ … i am appalled, i think they should have to put a pic of the bear in the cage will all those metal traps, on the package for their "medicine", see if any of the products sell then!! what humans won't do for a buck .. makes me sick. Makes me hope there is a hell, for anyone that has any part in this should burn in hell!! Makes you feel like there is no hope for the human kind, but then there are people like the rescue group who rescued this bear ..

Hi Kris, you are right sometimes it is so easy to think that humanity is totally lost, and as you say, there are these rescue groups and people who do great jobs in turning the lives around for animals and humans. Not all are bad thankfully..

I am so glad he has been seaved but unfortunately his life has been broken – 30 years of torture, those people should be severely punished, I hope the don’t have another young bear now to replace Oliver. Are they still allowed to have those torture farms ?

Yes. There are stilled 10,000 bears in capitivity today in this most barbaric form of torture. The Chinese are subhumans to me in thier stupid traditions. Medevil money hungry morons. I know thier are decent Chinese fighting this, but thier 3rd world goverment sucks. There dog meat trade is just as cruel and so heartbreaking. Hate them

the chinese seem to be the most barbaric creatures on this planet, why? i dont know, nothing is sacred to them, they even kill their own young, ie the killing rooms where little girl babies are left to die, nothing suprises me when it comes to the chinese, i totally agree about not buying anything from them, but these days, they bloody make everything!!!! oh but how lovely to see this little bear saved, thank god there are some beautiful human beings out there, that restore my faith in the human race.

Hi Pamela, The moon bear (with a white half moon on the chest) lives about 30-35 years in the wild and if they live in captivity they can be a bit older than that if they have a ”good” life. The Brown bear like Oliver lives about the same life span.

There’s only one kind of hominid vermin I hate more than these subhumans – and that’s those PATHETIC scum who are forever shouting “Racist !!” at the top of their lungs, and running crying to farcebook that XX doesn’t like whatever race it happens to be. On the subject of the Bears, I don’t think anything you did to everyone in china could possibly make up for robbing this one of his life – can you just imagine it – 30 years (that’s about 10,950 days) of unending torture ?? ONLY an asian mind could have come up with THAT !! It’s the way they are, psychologically. I should not like to think that ANY Witch in Europa, USA or Australia would include this kind of obscenity in their pharmacopoeia….

considering the chinese are supposed to be one of the cleverest races on earth how can they actually believe animals were to be used and tortured for medicine. such ignorance is incredible, the whole of the chinese should be interred in cages with taps stuck in their stomachs.and they surely do not need tiger products for fertility. They should be reducing their birthrate anyway.

I dont think he can have company from another bear. he is so old and his body so deformed after the years in his small prison. And since he has been so ill and now have just one eye, I think that is the reason why he is there alone at the moment. Trying to find more info about him and how it goes for the sweetheart.

“Befores and afters” such as these are exactly the reason why I am such a strong supporter of Animals Asia and similar organisations. They do fantastic work that I cannot imagine myself ever having the emotional strength to undertake. Hopefully one day, there will no longer be any need for before and after pictures, as this vile industry will finally be gone.

I don’t understund. Why do the asian people, this horrible things with animals. First the tigre and now the bear.
Thanks for saving this beatufil creature, I’ll hope, he will be still happy in his short life.

It is unfortunate that people include racism in their posts. Every country is guilty of animal torture, not just asia/tigers/bears – factory farming, zoos, fur farms, eating meat, dairy industry, animal research, cosmetics/household cleaners, animal testing, smoking, alcohol, premarin, horse racing, dog racing, etc etc etc. These things exist in every country in the world, Canada, USA…everywhere. May we all use our disgust at all of these horrific acts in every country, to band together to end it. Racism does not exist in animal advocacy. Thank you.

That is true Alison, cruelty to animals happens in every single country in this world. As an example I was chocked about how cruel people are in Scandinavia when it comes to fur farm. Knew they existed, just not how bad it was. And we need to remember too that so many both in Asia and in every country there are those who works very hard with helping those who have no voice. We all need to unite for every animal no matter where they live.

You choose to know just enough,so you can accuse others of racism Alison.The “WEST” does have its own record of moral crimes; most are against humanity.In North.Am.,brutality against animals is mostly confined to “Factory Farming”. Yes it is ignored by the state, and we are doing everything we can to change this.Recently we have won concessions regarding gestation crates for pigs (Canada);and the fight continues. In No. America. however, there is a LINE (same in Europe). Atrocities occur, but are committed by individuals.This LINE is drawn at “COMPANION” animals and for the most part WILD species.In ASIA,all ASIA …THERE IS NO LINE…this is a very important difference. Every animal on the planet is game(no pun intended)& the brutality has NO limit. The state not only ignores; it ENCOURAGES..From dog&cat torture for “MEAT” to Tiger starvation for BOGUS “medicines/wine”They prize an “erection” that much,though it does not produce the desired effect. The general population is ambivalent;which happens to be a very ASIAN “mind set” .Animal TORTURE for profit is considered a legitimate enterprise.Without blessed org. like Animals Asia NO animal would be saved. Until animal torturers everywhere are imprisoned for life any progress will be slow and painful. ASIA will only “comply” if it becomes expensive NOT to.

Animals are my life * I think it is a shame and cry me down what those defenseless beings do all * governments grab in because the people what it does are not people but BARBARIANS * a threat to our earth and Chinese go into all that much and too far *** help the defenseless beings *** thank you ***

OMG! Did not know such a practice existed. I watched the whole video. Brought tears to my eyes. What is wrong with people? We live in such a modern world, but then there’s idiots like this that practice such pain & suffering. I hope Oliver lives a long life. Bless you people of Animal Asia!!

I DEFY ANY NORMAL HUMAN NOT TO CRY AT OLIVERS STORY. WHY OH WHY ARE THEIR LIVES TAKEN FROM THEM ?? NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO DO SO. NOBODY HAS ANY RIGHT TO TORTURE BEARS AND TAKE FROM THEM WHAT GOD GAVE THEM . THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS AND SHOULD BE LIVING A LIFE OF FREEDOM. I USED TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHINESE PEOPLE WERE A VERY CLEVER LOT BUT NOT ANY MORE. THEIR BELIEFS ARE CRAZY, A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY AND CRUEL TO THE LEVEL THAT IS QUITE UNBELIEVABLE. BEARS, DOGS,CATS,TIGERS,FROGS,ECT ARE NOT ON THIS EARTH TO BE ABUSED FOR MEDICINAL REASONS OR FOR RESEARCH OR FOR TORTURE. GOD WATCHES EVERY MOVE AND ONE DAY WILL SHOW HIS WRATH. !

Lindabadham , Cows chickens pigs sheep and fish are not on this earth to be eaten by man .
Ihope you are a vegan .
Otherwise youre no animal lover.
You dont have to love animals to be a vegan , but you have to be a vrgan if you do love them.
Thats the equation .
Do the math.

As for oliver , he makes me cry .
His story and a trillion others makes me hate mankind.

It is unfortunate that people resort to racism when it comes to animal torture. Every country is guilty of animal torture. Every country. Channel your energy to sign petitions, educate, create awareness and band with others who share the same goals. Consider a life of Veganism (not just a food choice). But, please do not include racism, as animal cruelty is a world wide horrific act, unfortunately shared by every country. May we all use our actions and voices in a positive manner to help end cruelty, torturing and suffering for all sentients. (I am Vegan). Thank you.

Lindabadham ,
You did not include in your list the animals abused for food so I needed to make the connection which is lost to most.
Animals should be free . Not only dogs cats frogs etc and not just from medicinal and research prissons.
The chinese and every other nation exploits animals to the max . Some regard one specious as pets while exploiting the rest.
This is the essence Of specIesism .
My point was that if one loves animals he/she must be a vegan otherwise its a life lived in lie .
And i meant no disrespect .
Love for all animals.
Untill the last cage is empty.
Because in suffering we are all equal .
Go vegan !
Alf , 269life , Shay.

I UNDERSTAND SHAY BUT AT THE MOMENT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OLIVER AND THE BEARS. I FIGHT AND SPEAK FOR ALL ANIMALS BUT AT THIS PRECISE MOMENT IT’S ABOUT THE BEARS. I SAY THE SAME FOR ALL ANIMALS AS THEY ARE ALL THE SAME , JUST IN A DIFFERENT PHYSICAL BODY. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED HUMAN AND ANIMALS WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME LIFE FORCE, NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. SOME PEOPLE ARE EVOLVING AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL SO ALL WILL NOT HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING AT THE SAME TIME. TO ME A LIFE IS A LIFE !

I’m a voracious meat eater. I probably eat half again more meat than the average person. I’m upset at your claim that not being a vegan, let alone a vegetarian means I hate animals. There are plenty of omnivorous people out there who love animals, and you have just alienated us by claiming that.
Plenty of animals eat other animals – that doesn’t make them immoral. We are animals – it doesn’t make us immoral.
Animal cruelty isn’t evil because of the end product – Ants enslave other species, dolphins rape and kill for fun.
It is evil because the treatment we give to those lesser than us directly reflects our own self worth, and I want to hold my species and myself to the highest standard. These people have disgraced themselves, and by association all humans everywhere.